Vintage 1957 Soviet Book: Leningrad (History of the City) – Uspensky | Tsar to Soviet Books

Vintage 1957 Detgiz Illustrated Volume: "Leningrad: From the History of the City"

For collectors of Saint Petersburg history, mid-century Soviet book illustrations, and fine art hardcovers, this 1957 original Soviet illustrated volume is a standout publication. Published in Leningrad by Detgiz (Государственное Издательство Детской Литературы Министерства Просвещения РСФСР), Leningrad: From the History of the City (Ленинград: Из истории города) was co-authored by V. V. Uspensky and acclaimed writer Lev Uspensky.

Issued for the 250th anniversary of the city's founding, this large-format edition is celebrated for its full-page watercolor plates created by prominent Leningrad graphic artists Boris Kalaushin, Yaroslav Krestovsky, and Yury Smolnikov.

Architectural Heritage, Imperial Navy & Kalaushin Watercolors

This volume presents the history of Russia's Northern Capital from its 1703 founding through the 20th century:

• Maritime & Naval Origins: Illustrations of Peter the Great's early Russian fleet on the Neva River, shipyards, and the Admiralty spire.

• Architectural Masterpieces: Watercolor views of Alexander Nevsky Lavra under winter snow, Suvorov's monument on Mars Field, Palace Square, and intricate iron bridge railings.

• Mid-Century Book Design: Elegant typography, decorative floral title cartouches, and chapter headpieces designed at Detgiz's Leningrad division.

Complete Bibliographic Specifications

• Title: Ленинград: Из истории города (Leningrad: From the History of the City)

• Authors: V. V. Uspensky (В. В. Успенский) & Lev Vasilievich Uspensky (Л. В. Успенский)

• Illustrators: Boris Markovich Kalaushin (Б. М. Калаушин), Ya. I. Krestovsky (Я. И. Крестовский), Yu. V. Smolnikov (Ю. В. Смольников)

• Publisher: "Detgiz" Publishing House (Детгиз, Ленинград)

• Publication Date: 1957 (Leningrad, USSR)

• Language: Russian

• Binding: Original publisher's hardcover

• Print Run / Circulation: 90,000 copies (Тираж 90000)

• Classification: Saint Petersburg History / Soviet Book Illustration / Mid-Century Detgiz Hardcovers

Condition & Preservation Report

• Exterior Condition: Original hardcover binding is clean, flat, and structurally firm with minor shelf rubbing along extremities.

• Binding Integrity: Firm, square, and tight text block with sound hinges.

• Page & Watercolor Quality: Interior pages and color watercolor plates are clean and completely legible, showing uniform light cream age-toning typical of 1950s Soviet paper stocks. Free from marginal notation, library stamps, or owner signatures.

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